Slow Roasted

"23 Belmont" - 16" x 20" - oil

Available at Glave Kocen Gallery

Do things ever slow down? Sometimes but I can't remember the last time that things were slow. It may have been in the 90's... I think it was a Wednesday. Let's be honest, if things were to slow down I don't know what I'd do with myself. I'd probably run a muck and start doing chores around the house (heaven forbid).

While the show at the Glave Kocen Gallery (plug) is still in full effect, I've got to get started on the next project. This time I'm preparing for a show in Nashville, TN. Instead of a 40 piece spectacular, I'll be working on a 15 t0 20 piece bonanza. In addition to this show I'll be working on some pieces for competitions and a few group shows. It'll be interesting how I juggle all of this during the holiday season. Stay tuned and Happy Thanksgiving!

Elementary my Dear Picasso

"So Sew" - 24" x 24" - oil

Available at Glave Kocen Gallery

A few weeks ago I mentioned my trip to Bettie Weaver Elementary School in Chesterfield , VA. I was so impressed by not only the school and staff but the students. At that age I was more focused on kickball and Saturday morning cartoons. These kids had already studied Picasso, Rothko and Matisse! This is when the cranky old man in me wants to yell "these pesky kids have it all!" Then the sensible voice in me whispers "that's how it should be.

This brings me to the matter at hand. A few weeks ago fellow artist, Steve Hedberg, asked if I would be willing to donate a couple of pieces for an auction to help raise money for the Patrick Henry School of Science & Arts. I of course said yes and proceeded to pull pieces for the auction. Not only is this a good cause to help the arts but you can get a Steven Walker painting out of it too. The auction will run from Nov. 18th to Dec. 9th, 2009. To view the work click the link below

Patrick Henry School of Science & Arts Holiday Online Auction

From Afghanistan with Love, part 3

"Blue Ridge Farm" - 24" x 48" -oil

Available at Glave Kocen Gallery

With all of the show stuff going on I just realized that I didn't post the conclusion to my trip to Afghanistan. So without further ado...

Since the last time we left Steven he was waiting to discuss flights out to Bagram. We went to the PERSCO (Personnel Support for Contingency Operations) tent to see about our flight out. The five of us sat their listening to all of the names that were listed. Only two of our names were called to board the flight... neither of which was mine. Obviously this caused some concern because it would send one artist and one escort to Afghanistan leaving the remaining two artists and one escort in Kyrgyzstan.

This is where the trip took a bad turn. While in the terminal waiting area, one of the other artists convinced the higher ups to send two artists instead of an artist and an escort. While making this deal, the same artist decided (without my knowledge) that if two artists were going that I would not be one of them. This was not his decision to make and his reasoning was even more disrespectful to me as both an artist and a human being.

So there I was in Kyrgyzstan, dazed, confused and angry. With the exception of the mountains and the dry air there was nothing special about the base. Fortunately my escorts and some of the folks at public affairs were able to get me into some places around the base that were normally off limits. Got lemons...make lemonade. Everyone that I encountered during this time was kind of skiddish until they found out that I was a volunteer and not a contractor (soldiers don't seem to be fond of contractors).

In the end I was able to get a lot of reference for my painting. The trip wasn't what I expected but my life isn't what I thought it would be (it's better). Anyway...since I'm posting this I can say that I got home safely. Now I wonder where the next trip will take me too.

Show and Tell...Everyone

"Firewood" - 24" x 30" - oil

Available at the Glave Kocen Gallery

Anytime I go to Richmond I know that I'll be in high demand between family, friends and work ...and this trip was no different. As I stated in my last post, I was really nervous about talking to several groups of fourth and fifth graders. Well, all of those butterflies left minutes after the first group showed up - and the day at Bettie Weaver Elementary was a success. No heckling, no biting and not one doodie head. What a great group of kids at Bettie Weaver... special thanks to Marie and Curtis Skolnick and Courtney Day.

Now for the opening. What a night! Normally at openings my head's all over the place with anxiety but this night was different. I was too busy schmoozing to have time to worry about anything like sales. I got to see some old friends and I also met some fans that I didn't know that I had. I'd like to thank everyone that came out to the opening. Also I'd like to thank the owners of Glave Kocen Gallery, BJ & Jennifer. They are not only good friends but they've done wonders for my career.

Although there was a huge turnout I know that there are still some folks that couldn't get to the gallery. There's still time... the show will be up until December 23rd.

Getting Schooled

"Tucked Away" - 11" x 14" - oil

Sold

I thought I'd post this blog as a last reminder for my opening at Glave Kocen Gallery. Although it promises to be a big night for me, I'm more concerned with the events that will take place prior to the opening. I'm scheduled to give a talk/demo to four groups of 4th and 5th graders at Bettie Weaver Elementary in Chesterfield, VA about art opportunities. This could be brutal. I could get heckled by little Suzy smartpants and never recover. If by some slim chance I actually make it through the afternoon... I'll see you all at the opening.

"Between Homes" new paintings by Steven S. Walker

November 6 - December 23, 2009
Opening reception, Friday, November 6th: 6:00 until 9:00pm
Glave Kocen Gallery, 1620 W. Main St., Richmond VA 23220

Pre-viewfinder

"33 Mist" - 30" x 30" - oil

Available at Glave Kocen Gallery

O.K. so for the past four months I've been working on this solo show at Glave Kocen Gallery, and for the past month several people have asked me if I was going to post all 40 pieces. While I do intend to post the pieces to my website, the gallery has just uploaded images of all 40 pieces as a preview to the show. I'm sure that this will be appreciated by the folks that can't make it to the opening but don't let this sway the rest of you from attending the opening on November 6th from 6pm to 9pm. The link below will take you directly to the gallery page. Enjoy and tell a friend.

Glave Kocen Gallery - Steven S. Walker

"Between Homes" new paintings by Steven S. Walker
November 6 - December 23, 2009
opening reception, Friday, November 6th: 6:00 until 9:00pm

From Afghanistan with Love, part 2

"At the End of the Day (James)"- 16" x 20" - oil

I've never been in an actual briefing, so I knew that I should pay extra close attention. I tried but I would have been better off learning french from a dog with a lisp. While explaining the rules and procedures of the base they must have used a thousand acronyms (none of which I knew). It didn't help that I was ridiculously congested from the change of weather.

After the briefing we went to get our IBA's (Interceptor Body Armor) and helmets. After adding this twenty pounds of protection we recieved the news that we would not be leaving for Afghanistan just yet. Since we did not expect to stay at Manas we were in need of some sleeping quarters. Before leaving the states we were all told that we would need to bring a sleeping bag with the expectation of sleeping in tents. Senior Master Sgt. Lynch of the public affairs office was right there to help us out. Because we were given the rank of Colonel's our sleeping arrangements were awesome.

There was a meeting at 10pm to discuss flights out to Bagram but that was several hours away. The next several hours were spent between the dining hall, the BX (base exchange) and my bed. - to be continued...

p.s. the above piece is part of the upcoming exhibition

Reminder:"Between Homes" new paintings by Steven Walker
November 06 - December 23, 2009
opening reception, Friday, November 6th 6:00 until 9:00 pm
Glave Kocen Gallery 1620 W. Main St., Richmond, VA

From Afghanistan with Love, part 1

"The Distance" - 18" x 24" - oil

Sold

Where's Steven at now? Well for the past two weeks I've been on a trip with the Air Force en route to Afghanistan. As a member of the Air Force Art Program I sometimes get called to go to different bases to document the current activities and later donate a painting based on the trip. It's always an honor to travel with the Air Force. I see it as my way of giving back. I would have posted this blog earlier but my mother reads these posts and would have lost sleep thinking about her son going to Afghanistan.

I met up with everyone from the program on Tuesday and flew out of BWI on Wednesday. I think that out of the two weeks, we spent one week in airports. We had a slight bump in the road when a fuel leak on our plane forced us to spend the night in Landstahl, Germany. If you have to break down somewhere... Germany's not a bad place at all.

By the time we landed in Kyrgyzstan it was Saturday morning. I had no concept of time or space at this point. I along with about 100 soldiers exited the plane only to board a bus that would take us to be briefed at Manas Air Base. - to be continued...

Reminder:
"Between Homes" new paintings by Steven Walker
November 06 - December 23, 2009
opening reception, Friday, November 6th 6:00 until 9:00 pm
Glave Kocen Gallery 1620 W. Main St., Richmond, VA

Collect em' All

Click here for American Art Collector website

It's October and the countdown to the big show can begin. Just when you thought that you've heard enough about my upcoming solo show...here's more. In stores now is the October issue of American Art Collector with a wonderful artist focus page highlighting my show at Glave Kocen Gallery in November. My hope is that this will create a buzz on the national level. As November approaches more pieces will be added to the website.

Go pick up your copy today...no...stop what you're doing...go NOW and take a friend!

Pardon the Interruption

"Hatch Show" - 18" x24" - oil

Well it's crunch time. I've finished 29 out of 40 paintings so far with a month left before the big solo show in Richmond, VA at Glave Kocen (plug). I don't like painting right up to the last minute but I've noticed in the past that I usually have a stronger body of work that way. Typically the thought of completing this many pieces doesn't worry me but lately I've been extremely busy. It wasn't always this difficult but somehow (out of nowhere) I ended up with a personal life. I honestly don't know how this happened.

In addition to teaching responsibilities and this crazy personal life I've got to keep the other galleries happy. The piece above was sent to The Arts Company a few weeks ago in an effort to keep them stocked with some Steven Walker pieces. If you enjoy vintage posters as much as I do then you should make time to stop by Hatch Show Prints in downtown Nashville, TN.

Take one down pass it around

"Roadside View 1 & 2" - 24" x 24" each - oil

Despite my absence I have been busier than a beaver in a coffee lake. Let's see...earlier this month we took a trip to Richmond, VA to pick up some panels/frames and spend some quality time with friends and family. From there we drove to Nashville,TN to see more family as well as drop off a couple of pieces at The Arts Company (like the two above).

Although it was a work day in Nashville I found time to celebrate my birthday. We walked through downtown Nashville, spent time with family and had a great dinner. Despite being kicked out of the truck by my niece (because I'm a boy...duuuh), it was certainly one of the better birthdays of recent memory.

So what have I been working on recently? Well the big project right now is my first major solo show in Richmond, VA. The show is titled "Between Homes" and will focus on the beautiful sights between Ohio and Virginia. The plan is to have about 40 landscapes painted by November 6th. As of today I've completed 22 paintings with 9 in progress and a little more than a month left. IT'S GO TIME!

What the... (fill in the blank)

"Tattoo" - 24" x 30"- oil

Although I haven't been posting regularly as of late, I have been hard at work. Most recently my website has under gone an extreme face lift (Joan Rivers territory). Take some time to visit http://www.stevenwalkerstudios.com/. In addition to a new look there are a few new images along with a short biography. Unfortunately many of the paintings that I've been working on as of late will remain under lock and key until November but I'll share what I can.

The painting above is of a Tattoo parlor, that once was a bank, in downtown Nashville, TN. As I walked past this building I noticed a sign through the open door that read "Absolutely no bad language." What the... This seemed awfully strange for a tattoo parlor. It wasn't until I was well into the painting that I found out that this was Nashville's one and only Christian tattoo parlor. Soon this painting will be on its' way to The Arts Company for Artrageous, a prestigious annual fundraiser for Nashville CARES.

What Labor Laws

"Old Man Summer" - 5" x 7" - oil

click here to bid or purchase

I don't usually like to have people helping me in my studio because I have my own way of doing things and I want it all done right. Nonetheless, last week I had a little extra help in the studio. For the most part, things went smoothly but of course there were a few bumps in the road. I found myself doing more teaching than anything. This kid didn't know how to sand panels, use photoshop or even how to use a circular saw. He was more interested in playing fetch with my dog than anything but by the end of the week he was running the place. Oh...did I mention that he's my godson and eleven years old?

The above piece is my entry into this weeks Different Strokes from Different Folks Challenge. This may be the last challenge that I participate in for a while until I can get the works for my November show ready.

Ground Control to Major Tom, Part 2

"Shelby Street Bridge" - 30" x 40" - oil

Available at The Arts Company

So as promised, I'm delivering the rest of the Air Force story. The reason for this trip was to document the space aspect of the United States Air Force. The folks in Washington noticed that there are hundreds of paintings of airplanes but very few pieces of art that focus on the space program.

During the next couple of days of our space technology field trip we visited Raytheon, Boeing, Northrop Grumman and Space X. Usually the artists on these trips take hundreds of reference pictures to work from once they get home. I said usually. This was far from a normal trip. We were not allowed to take any of our own photos and at Boeing, I couldn't even take in a lead pencil. A lot of the information that we were given was fascinating for a regular Steve like me. I would love to talk more about the trip but 70% of what we saw was classified and I can't even acknowledge 90% of what I didn't see (hush, hush). Don't even get me started on the little green . . . never mind.

Ground Control to Major Tom

"Broad and High" - 36" x 36" - oil
Available at Art Access Gallery

A few weeks ago a fellow artist commented on how my life as an artist is so exciting. I've never considered my life to be anything other than drab and stressful. This leads me into today's post.

About two weeks ago I received a call from the United States Air Force Art Program to go to Los Angeles,CA to visually document the Space aspect of the Air Force. Now for those of you who are not familiar with the Air Force Art Program, let me explain. To create a visual history, the Air Force sends artists on trips to bases near and abroad to view the current event or exercise that is taking place. In return for the trip, the Air Force asks that the participating artists donate one painting that is based on their experience.

The trip started off with a few travel hiccups but nothing serious. There was a one hour wait for a rental car but on the bright side there was a woman that did the electric slide for about forty minutes while she waited in line. Although our dinner plans were thrown off by delayed planes, the few of us who had arrived were able to grab a bite at the Redondo Beach Brewing Co.

to be continued...